T'ai Chi Ch'uan and Ch'i Kung
BUTTERFLY Healing Arts
860-778-3147
Email~
reikibutterfly1@yahoo.com
This site designed & maintained by Terry DeMars
(taijiquan and qigong)
T'ai Chi Ch'uan is an ancient art which was originally martial in intention, although the health nourishing benefits of the art were purposefully embedded within it right from the beginning. T'ai Chi combines the best elements of Chinese martial arts, Chinese meditative and healing arts, and Chinese philosophical ideas; which the following diagram illustrates:
Today T'ai Chi is known and respected world-wide as a superior mental and physical health promoting system, with modern scientific study confirming the traditional Chinese teachings. Benefits of T'ai Chi training are wide-ranging and include the following: improved posture, balance, alignment, and body mechanics; deeper and more natural breathing patterns; stress relief and relaxation; better focus and concentration; improved circulation of blood, lymph, and energy; more overall feelings of peace, balance, and connectedness; and more.... T'ai Chi has been shown to improve immune functioning (you get sick less!), and is endorsed by groups such as The Arthritis Foundation and the A.A.R.P.
Mike is a twenty+ year practitioner and teacher of T'ai Chi and Qigong, including seventeen years full-time as a student of Lao Shr David J. Everett, Headmaster of the White Lotus Association (www.white-lotus.com). Mike achieved Sifu level status in the arts of T'ai Chi and Five Formed Fist Shaolin Kung Fu from Lao Shr Everett, and also practiced and taught the Filipino martial arts avidly during this time. In 1993 Mike received his martial arts family lineage name from Lao Shr Everett, 'Dao Chan I.' For seven+ years Mike served as the owner and Chief Instructor of White Lotus Martial Arts in West Hartford, Connecticut.
Mike has also had the good fortune to train under numerous other notable experts, such as: Grandmaster Dr. Maung Gyi, Grandmaster Leo T. Gaje, Jr., Grandmaster Fu Shu Yuen, Master Manfred Steiner, Tuhon Bill McGrath, Master William C.C. Chen, Sifu H. K. Chan, Master Wei Lun Huang, Master Wang Hai Jun, and others.... in 2002 Mike was invited to be part of the original group of instructors trained at the Arthritis Foundation headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia (T'ai Chi for Arthritis Program).
Mike has been published in well known national magazines on T'ai Chi and related arts as well, such as: T'ai Chi magazine, Qi Journal, Massage Magazine, and The Empty Vessel. Mike also worked at an acute care rehabilitation hospital as a Rehabilitation Technician, and has extensive experience working with diverse groups of special needs people.
Mike learned T'ai Chi Ch'uan from Lao Shr Everett as a comprehensive, complete system. For those looking for in-depth, practical training beyond the basic T'ai Chi for health level, Mike's training has been extensive and specialized in this and related arts. Aspects of the T'ai Chi system available include the following:
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T'ai Chi Tui Shou ('push hands')
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T'ai Chi San Shou (application and sparring)
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T'ai Chi Weapons Study
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T'ai Chi Na Fa and Grappling/Anti-Grappling
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Other specialized aspects of the T'ai Chi System
For those new to T'ai Chi or looking to learn more, please keep the folling ideas in mind:
No breathing exercises/meditation = No Ch'i = No T'ai Chi!!
T'ai Chi is much more than a fancy and pretty 'sport' practiced in beautiful silken clothing in order to win medals at tournaments! Yes, that can be part of the T'ai Chi experience, but it is only the superficial 'frosting' of the art. Without the substance and 'guts' of the art you will be missing out on the best and most valuable aspects of training. As my teacher taught me, "the art that you can see - the forms and exercises - is only the tip of the tip of the iceberg concerning the real and complete art!"
Please feel free to contact Mike for more information on this wonderful, practical, and comprehensive art; or to schedule classes, workshops, and private training.
"May the Ch'i be with you!"
reikibutterfly1@yahoo.com ~ 860-778-3147